Low income home energy assistance increases maximum

Pennsylvania's Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) will increase the maximum crisis benefit from $300 to $500.

The LIHEAP CRISIS Program provides grants to low-income households during the cold weather season to assist families experiencing an emergency situation that places them in danger of losing their heat including utility service terminations; needed deliverable fuels including heating oil, propane and kerosene; and heating system and fuel line repairs and replacements. LIHEAP recipients who have already received $300 in crisis benefits may now apply for an additional $200 to respond to another home heating crisis.

The Pennsylvania income eligibility guidelines for 2007-2008 limit participation for a “household of one” to a maximum annual income of $15,315; a family of four to a maximum income of $30,975. More eligibility information and application procedures can be found on the Allegheny County Department of Human Services web site at www.alleghenycounty.us/uploadedFiles/DHS/About_DHS/Publications/Brochures/LIHEAPbrochure.pdf. LIHEAP CRISIS program applicants must appear in person and will be interviewed on a first-come first-served, basis between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the following locations:

LIHEAP makes payments directly to the utility, fuel providers or contractors on the consumer's behalf. Emergency assistance with heating system failure is available 24 hours a day through the DHS Office of Community Services at 1-800-851-3838.